Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan signs on to play for Adelaide Strikers in next year’s Big Bash League

Rashid Khan (C) will become the first Afghan to play in the Big Bash League.Source: AFP

THE world’s most exciting young spinner is coming to the Big Bash.

18-year-old sensation Rashid Khan has confirmed he is coming to Australia this summer and will play for the Adelaide Strikers, where he’ll become the first Afghan to feature in the tournament.

The youngster has caught the attention of cricket fans across the planet with his beguiling bowling, starring at international level for Afghanistan and in both the Indian Premier League and Caribbean Premier League.

Khan flagged an interest in playing the BBL in May this year, telling FoxSports.com.au ”my dream is to play Big Bash. I would love to be the first Afghani to play in the Big Bash”.

It is understood several BBL franchises had an interest in Khan, with Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques — who played alongside Khan at Sunrisers Hyderabad in this year’s IPL — flagged his interest.

“I must say as captain of the Sixers I have been contemplating our little leggie (Rashid Khan) we have over here (Hyderabad),” Henriques told foxsports.com.au.

“I still can’t pick him in the nets. He bowls nearly 100kmph and gets the ball to spin a little bit both ways.”

“He is hard work especially over here in these conditions but it is something definitely worth contemplating for the Sixers.

“It would depend if he is available and I guess you also have to sum up how successful they can be in Australian conditions.”

Rashid Khan (C) celebrates a wicket while playing in the Caribbean Premier League.Source: Getty Images

Khan was certainly pleased to be coming to Australia this summer.

“I am very happy to have signed with the Strikers for the BBL,” the leg-spinner said in a club statement.

“It is a huge honour to be a part of such a great tournament and even more of an honour to be the first Afghanistan player to participate on the BBL stage.”